On the LEGS walk through the Riverhead Forest, Kathy B. was asked if she knew how to grow kawakawa. The leaves of this plant are used for teas, culinary uses, balms, insect repellents, sunscreens, alcoholic drinks, and oils. Here are some tips from her:

Growing kawakawa from a cutting

Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken in summer or early autumn.  Avoid taking cuttings from weak, spindly growth and cut about 4mm below a node. Remove the leaves from the bottom part of the cutting and dip it in a rooting hormone. Bury the cut section directly in the garden or pot and water the soil thoroughly. Make sure the leaves portion must be above the soil.

Growing kawakawa from seed

Sow in summer and autumn on moist seed raising mix, in pots or trays and cover lightly with mix. Keep moist but not waterlogged in a warm partially shaded place. The seeds may take some time to appear – sometimes up to 1 year, and germination may only be 50% of the seeds.

There is also an interesting article on Stuff entitled Herbal healing from the bush: get the most out of native kawakawa